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UK - The Barracuda Bar in Newquay - the largest live music venue and nightclub in the area, with a capacity of 1,456 - has recently commissioned the services of Willow SoundVision to perform a technical refurbishment, redesign and installation of new, flexible lighting for the venue.

Mark Pearmain, project manager for Willow SoundVision explained that the lighting system had to bring a "wow" factor to the venue, the lighting had to be exciting and make a huge visual impact. The design needed to utilise a large space and also serve live entertainment events such as regular hosting of Radio 1 in the summer months, live acts such as the Levellers and the main purpose of the venue, as a bar/nightclub. Budget and product reliability was a large factor in choosing Martin Profe

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The Netherlands / Germany - The range of Twisted Pair products from Dutch manufacturer RDL send, receive and distribute a variety of signal types using twisted pair cables (Cat 5, Cat 6, etc). The products were designed together as a coordinated system of functional modules that are easy to understand, the company says: "Drawing from decades of design and manufacturing experience, RDL twisted pair modules are engineered to deliver signal integrity equal or superior to installations using traditional shielded cables. The variety of styles combined with the mounting modularity of Decora-style and European 45mm designs make RDL's twisted pair products ideal for any architectural requirements. Segregating the twisted-pair cables by format type keeps the design, installation and maintenance simple and straightforward."

The new product line will be on show at the ProLight&So

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Australia - ARX's popular MIXX 1U 4-input mic/line mixer has recently had a complete update and redesign, the company reports. The Australia-based pro audio manufacturer's managing director Colin Park told us: "The Mixx has been very popular with installers and AV users around the world and the time had come for an upgrade to meet users changing demands and expectations."

The MIXX now features four balanced low-noise microphone inputs (which can be switched to line inputs if required) with input gain controls, 3-way EQ and pan controls. Switchable phantompower is also available on all four mic inputs, and each channel also has a balanced direct output, the company says.

(Lee Baldock)

featured content

Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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Sweden - Sweden based United Audio Starlight, one of the biggest live entertainment companies in Northern Europe, has committed to changing out their existing stock of over 400 Lab.gruppen amplifiers to replace them with 200 of the new Lab.gruppen FP + Series FP 10000Q 4 x 2500 watt-per-channel amplifiers.

"We were one of the beta test sites for the prototype FP 10000Q amplifiers during summer 2006," says Björn Lehnberg, branch manager, Audio, United Audio Starlight. "And our engineers and road crews were astonished by the new 4-channel monster. In our application, one FP 10000Q can replace two fP6400s so we halve the weight and halve the space taken up. These factors alone made the decision to replace our entire inventory very attractive."To help make the change over as swift as possible, United Audio Starlight chose to utilise their existing racks as a sho

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USA - Bandit Lites has been nominated for a Pinnacle Award,presented by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. The Pinnacle Awards recognisewinners in eight different categories and celebrate the accomplishments of businesses inthe Knoxville area.

Bandit has been nominated specifically in the Business Excellence category. This awardis presented to a company headquartered in East Tennessee or a company with asignificant presence in East Tennessee that has shown remarkable profitability, growthand stability. Nominees must be recognised regionally, nationally and/or internationally intheir respective business sector, while demonstrating leadership in the sector as well.Nominated companies should have made significant investments in facilities andemployees.

The Pinnacle Business Awards Ceremony will be held on 27 April, 2007 at the KnoxvilleConvention Centre. More than 600 peop

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USA - High End Systems has introduced a new software feature, Spherical Mapping, for its DL.2 Digital Light and Axon media server. The v1.3.2 software advances the edge-blending Collage Generator software of the two products, and is available now for download on the HES website, the company says.

"With the release of Collage Generator and Curved Surface Support features for DL.2, there's been a huge demand for the ability to fully blend and correct content for spherical type surfaces," says Scott Blair, HES director of digital lighting development. "Spherical Mapping allows us to answer that need to blend content across a hemisphere or a full sphere type surface."

Within the software are additional new effects and software enhancements, say High End. The Global Matte Effect allows the user to superimpose up to 20 different pre-defined Mattes for layering im

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USA - Victoria's Secret launches 'Secret Embrace' (a one-piece technology bra) with a special PR event at Herald Square today, using FogScreen technology.

FogScreen projection produces a thin curtain of "dry" fog that serves as a translucent projection screen, displaying images that literally float in the air. FogScreen projection screen uses ordinary tap water and does not contain any chemicals, thus earning the distinction of being "the audiovisual innovation of the decade".

In the 'Secret Embrace' launch guests - and supermodels - walk through a wall created with FogScreen projection screen. "Victoria's Secret is able to create a stunning display that is so captivating and attractive that it cannot help but to grab people's attention," says Mika Koivula, CEO of FogScreen, Inc. "This year we have launched FogScreen projection screen into th

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Germany - Beyma will be presenting a complete new family of loudspeakers, at Frankfurt's ProLight+Sound exhibition, 28 - 31 March. The new P1000ND is based on its larger siblings, 18 and 15 P1200ND, but with a more adjusted magnetic circuit and a power handling of 1000W AES. The new P1000ND family will be composed of three new models of 18", 15" and 12".

Another brand new family is the MW/ND. This new model incorporates a greatly improved dissipation heat system, which allows it to withstand an unexpected power handling from smaller voice coil sizes. This allows for an improved transducer at a lower cost. Apart from this, the models have a sensitivity and efficiency rarely found in this type of speaker. The family will be composed of a 10", a 12" and a 15" speaker.

Beyma will introduce a new type of component. This type of high frequency transduce

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UK - RF specialist, Trantec reports that its innovative 4-channel UHF S4.4 mic system has been taken on board by Rocktronic Centres - the buying consortium of independent musical equipment retailers in the UK.

Rocktronic Centres comprises over sixty independent MI stores nationwide and is headed up by Ian Barnes. The aim of Rocktronic Centres is to offer a combined buying power that allows more product choice, better deals and ultimately an increased service capacity.

Trantec's S4.4 was launched last Autumn and offers "a cost effective and flexible alternative for vocals, presentations and musical instruments".Additionally, the system offers four licence-free switchable UHF frequencies, which can operate simultaneously.

The system is available as a Vocal system, which comprises a hand-held transmitter with a dynamic capsule and a diversity receiver. The Lapel syste

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UK - Yeovil-based systems integrator IVC is celebrating after winning the InAVation award for the Most InAVative large Commercial Project, for its £2.7M AV project in the iconic Senedd, the home of the Welsh National Assembly.

Held in Amsterdam, the InAVation awards have been developed to recognise, celebrate and encourage professional excellence within the commercial and residential AV integration industries. Almost 8000 individual votes from over 60 countries throughout the EMEA region decided the winners of the 2007 event, selecting IVC's project over the Moscow Government Boardroom in Russia, the Adi Dassler Brand Centre in Germany and Tadco-De Beers Diamond World in South Africa.

IVC managing director Ray Harding commented, "The Senedd has been defined as the arena in which the future of Wales will be shaped, so it was hugely exciting to be involved, ins

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UK - Adlib Audio supplied a JBL VerTec sound system and full audio production and crew for Brand New's recent UK tour - the New York based Indie rockers' largest production tour to date. In control of Brand New's FOH mix is engineer Chris Cole who recommended Adlib to tour manager Jamieson Shea, having working with them several times in the past.

VerTec and also three of the latest Dolby Lake processors for EQ were employed. They used ten elements of flown VerTec a side and six Adlib DF4 twin 18" subs. The VT was powered by Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers and the subs by Crown VZ5000s.

Cole used a Midas H3000 console, which he describes as "a great desk for sound quality and ease of use, and generally excellent for the band". For compression, he used a combination of dbx 160s and BSS901s chained together. Adlib also supplied a rack of four dbx 160s which he put across

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USA - Northeastern Production Systems of Rochester, NY is celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2007 and, by extension, its 35-year relationship with JBL. Since 1972, Northeastern has evolved from a local sound production supplier to become one of the region's premier audio/lighting/video systems providers.

Over the years, artists for whom Northeastern Production Systems has provided live production services include Al Green, Heart, Patti LaBelle, Bill Cosby, KC and The Sunshine Band, Public Enemy, Chuck Mangione, the Spinners, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

According to founder Ray DiBiase, the key to Northeastern Production's success and growth has been its ability to provide a variety of different services as the company has evolved. "First we added lighting in the late 1970's, then in 1990 we decided our destiny was in total production packages," DiBiase said. "We pro

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Germany - At ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt, Kling & Freitag will present a selection from its current product range which now includes the option 'Installation' for the models CA 1201, CA1215, CA1515 and Line 212.

The speakers have been optimised for unobtrusive operation, and with numerous M10 mounting points, they allow for variable, simple and safe mounting in fixed installations.

The mounting brackets CA 1201 / CA 1215 and the mounting bracket CA 1515 are also new to the range. They enable the horizontal and vertical mounting of the same-named systems with the option 'Installation'. With this, all passive systems of the CA-Series are now suitable for horizontal and vertical mounting, says the company.

Kling & Freitag will also present the digital system controllers CD 24 and CD 44, both available for delivery since the beginning of the year and offering "a unique co

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Denmark - One of Scandinavia's premiere ballet companies, The Peter Schaufuss Ballet based in Holstebro, is a leading touring troupe that was established ten years ago by renowned ballet dancer, choreographer and director Peter Schaufuss. The company tours nationally and internationally with new productions staged every year.

Since 2005 lighting design for the Ballet has been handled by technical manager and chief of lighting, Bo Kudsk Kristensen who has traditionally had a large conventional lighting rig at his disposal. Last year he welcomed the addition of a Martin automated lighting package consisting of 17 MAC 2000 Performance and 17 MAC 2000 Wash fixtures, with control via a grandMA.

In 2006 Peter Schaufuss initiated collaboration with the British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe who created part of the scenography for Satisfaction, Schaufuss' dance concert based on the m

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Australia - Established in 1859, the GPO is a famous Melbourne landmark, transforming from postal hall to popular night spot and function centre in the 1990's. Managed by Robertson Hospitality Group, the GPO most recently underwent a comprehensive update of its audio systems,selecting Allen & Heath mixing products throughout.

"CEO Ian Robertson and music director Scott Thompson were looking for a premium quality audio system that could stay in the background visually, but be very much in the foreground acoustically," commented system designer and contractor Nathan Pugh of One Productions.

The GPO offers four key function areas, The Lexington, The Music Room, The Library and The Terrace. The Lexington makes use of the heritage architecture of the GPO building, with grand archways, 7-metre high ceilings, huge period windows, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, draped privat

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USA - A complement of grandMA consoles controlled an array of fixtures employed by lighting directors Patrick Dierson and Kevin Lawson of Artfag, LLC at two pre-Super Bowl concerts. grandMAs also controlled lighting by Artfag lighting & video directors Richard Wold and Pat Brannon for a pre-game NFL party for VIPs.

The VH-1 Presents Pepsi Smash Bash featuring John Legend, Fergie and Kanye West, was hosted by Taye Diggs outside Dolphins Stadium on the NFL Experience Concert Stage. Recorded to HD by MTV Networks the Thursday before the game, the concert was telecast on Saturday night. Friday night Telemundo's Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Fiesta featuring Don Omar, Ivy Queen and Aventura was taped on the same stage for broadcast as well. Spike Brandt at Artfag provided production design for both concerts.

"The same equipment and rig was used for each event," not

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UK - Simon Battersby and Mark Logan have been appointed as operational directors of Showsec. Both have both worked with Showsec for over a decade, and started their crowd management careers working as stewards whilst attending university and worked their way up to become Showsec's Regional Managers.

Both were among the first in the UK to be awarded the foundation degree in Crowd Management at Buckingham and Chilterns University, in line with Showsec's ongoing training and development programme for all staff.

Showsec managing director Mark Harding comments, "Over many years of dedicated service to Showsec, Mark and Simon have proved themselves to be both great leaders and team players, with unrivalled passion for their work. The loyalty and commitment they have shown, combined with their continuous influence on the progression the company, has left no doubt in my mind that

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UK - January saw the launch in California of the 2007 product ranges from the Harman Group of pro-audio brands, and British distributor Harman Pro UK will be giving the London public their first chance to see much of the new gear at Sounds Expo 2007, running from March 1st for three days at Kensington Olympia.

Under the banner 'Harman Pro UK In The Studio', featured products include studio recording mics from AKG, new additions to the MX range of Lexicon processors, and studio monitors from JBL.

AKG has several new products to show in this, its 60th anniversary year, including the new "affordable" D5 handheld dynamic and C5 condenser mics, the Micromic range of miniaturised vocal and instrument mics, and the eye catching anniversary-edition C414 condenser microphone, production of which is limited to just 2007 mics worldwide.

Lexicon's new MX500 reverb processor, l

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UK - Lighting designer Steve Douglas is using an Avolites Diamond 4 Vision console to control lighting for Las Vegas-based The Killers' Sam's Town world tour which is currently playing UK arenas.

Dublin-based Douglas has used Avolites consoles since the start of his professional career. He used a D4 on the previous US leg of the tour, "so it was a natural choice to continue" he says. He's also the show's programmer and operator, so he wanted a powerful desk that he knew was fast and easy to set up. He adds that with their schedule already including a festival season in the summer, "Features like Fixture Exchange are really invaluable".

Equipment for the European section of the tour is being supplied by Siyan. The stage features some spectacular red curtains, borders and legs, with monitor and guitar worlds onstage also wrapped in matching red materia

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USA - A substantial quantity of SymNet DSP and expansion devices have been installed at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, where they provide processing, auto-mixing, matrixing and distribution functionality for the legislative spaces. This installation is part of an audio/visual upgrade at the State Legislature building which was designed by special systems engineering firm NBTA Engineers, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"We worked very closely with the owner to develop a system tailored to their specific needs. The project was well executed and on budget, and will meettheir needs for many years to come," claims Trez Traylor, president of NBTA Engineers.

The House and Senate chambers are each identically outfitted with a SymNet 8x8 DSP hardware module together with 12-channel BreakIn12 and BreakOut12 expansion devices. Principal inputs into each DSP matrix include mi

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South Africa - DPA microphones have played a major role in the South African production of We Will Rock You which premiered at the 1,069-seat Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg before transferring to Cape Town and Durban.

The show, which plays tribute to rock band Queen, was written by British author Ben Elton together with band members Brian May and Roger Taylor and has sold more than four million tickets worldwide. A futuristic struggle between good and evil, We Will Rock You is based on Queen's back catalogue which spans more than three decades.

A combination of DPA 4065 and 4066 omnidirectional headband mics were used for all cast members. The mics were supplied by DPA's South African distributor Prosound, whose Mark Malherbe was also the sound designer for the show's South African run. Malherbe loosely based his design on the original, which also specifi

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